Voter turnout slow for Connecticut municipal elections

HARTFORD — Secretary of the State Denise Merrill says turnout appears to be pretty slow in most Connecticut cities and towns where municipal elections are being held.

Merrill said Tuesday she expects statewide voter turnout will ultimately be about 30 percent. Polls close at 8 p.m.

Turnout is expected to be higher in communities where there hotly contested races, such as New Haven and Stamford, where there are open seats for mayor. More than $1 million has been spent in Stamford, where former Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele is facing Democrat David Martin, a senior partner in a management consulting firm.

In New Haven, Democratic state Sen. Toni Harp is facing Democratic Alderman Justin Elicker, who petitioned his way onto the ballot. Both hope to replace longtime retiring Mayor John DeStefano.